Antique Repaired Porcelain Celadon Tea Cup

Staple repair, an ancient Chinese method, involves drilling small holes on either side of a pottery crack and inserting metal staples to hold the fragments together. This practical technique restored functionality while showcasing the artisan's skill.

Recently, staple repair has gained appreciation for its raw, industrial aesthetic and alignment with wabi-sabi—the beauty of imperfection. Once seen as flaws, visible staples now symbolize resilience and the enduring value of cherished objects.

In contrast, kintsugi, Japan’s “golden joinery,” uses urushi lacquer and powdered gold to mend cracks, turning damage into a celebrated feature. Kintsugi emphasizes beauty in imperfection, valuing repaired items even more than their original state.

Both methods honor craftsmanship, preserving what’s broken while embracing unique histories and philosophies of repair.